This step can be used instead of other, more specialized, input steps, such as Text File Reader, to create a Plan file that is usable as either a component or an online service. An input step in a Plan file in a component step creates an endpoint named by the input step. Then data inserted into the endpoint are sent to the output endpoint of this input step. A similar situation is when a Plan file with an input step is used as an online service. In this case the input steps can be used as receivers of data from the online service and the received data are sent to the output endpoint of this input step. The "opposite" step is Integration Output.